Narrative of a Survey of the Intertropical and Western Coasts of Australia eBook

For trimming specimens, smaller hammers may be employed
(Sketch 6): The form of the head, recommended
for this purpose by Dr. MacCulloch,* is rectangular.
The dimensions of the face may be 1 inch by 3/4; the
height 2 1/4.

It will be expedient to have always some hammers,
of different sizes, in reserve.

A small miner’s pick is useful for cutting out,
and splitting portions of slaty rocks; or for obtaining
specimens of clays, etc.

A small stone-cutter’s chisel. A chisel
with a handle, of the form here represented, will
often save the hand of an inexpert collector, and
better enable him to direct his blow.

For packing the specimens. A stock of strong
paper. Sealing-wax. Writing-paper, cut into
labels. Thick gum-water, to cement the labels
to the specimens.

For the Conveyance of specimens. A large bag
of leather, with straps for the shoulders. Strong
canvas bags, of smaller size, are very convenient
for subdivision and arrangement. For the protection
of crystals, or delicate petrifactions, etc.,
wool or cotton are necessary; and small wooden boxes
(like those used for holding wafers) are sometimes
required. For distant carriage, strong wooden
boxes, casks, or baskets.

The following are either essential, or useful in various
degrees, for obtaining and recording observations.

Pocket Memorandum-Books, of sufficient size to admit
sketches.
A Pocket Compass.
A Measuring-Tape, of fifty feet, or more.
A Telescope.
A Camera Lucida.
A Box of Colours.

The best maps should always be sought for: And,
the true economy to the traveller being that which
saves time, it is best to mark, or even colour the
map, in the field. Notes inserted on imperfect
maps, or deduced afterwards from memoranda, are less
authentic; and the process is frequently neglected.

PORTABLE-BAROMETERS, with detached thermometers, are
desirable; and the best instruments are ultimately
the cheapest. But, unfortunately, barometers
of every construction are very easily damaged or deranged.
The accurate determination of heights, however, though
very interesting to physical geography, is comparatively
of little importance to the geologist.

If the collector be a surveyor, he will know best
to what purpose a Pocket Sextant, or small Theodolite,
is applicable: the measurement of distances,
of heights, and of the inclination of strata, etc.